The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-19

AhO AhOtlOh w AON0Act0OA WAS luc
: put and carried.
Justice Barry then moved to lay th
Hindman Ferry matter on the tablt
but withdrew ii in favor Of Mr.. Pom,
who moved that the county make a
appropriation to build the levee. Til
gentleman stated that the APpRA
charged the other day tia Il youl
cost $4,000 to build the levee. II
had consulted q competent eBginee l
County Surveyor Jordan, and bis O.
innate was oniy $500. He would or
pose such an expensive levee, but wa
in favor OF II on the latter estimate
The gentleman then Lit into the Ar
PEAL, with sulphurous language, an,
referred 20 the glazing inconsistenc,
OF advocating an appropriation @
$2O0, 900 TO the Midland road and We
oppose $500 for levee to protect III,
county's citizens. He then referred
to the probable enhancing Of the yslu,
OF lands In the vicinity.
Mr.. Allen stated that he kneR
nothing OF levees, but a competent
gentleman had told him such a leve,
as proposed would be insufficient ant
disgrace to the county.
Mr.. -Egnew then asked TO read a
communication in the APPEAL, and
through q misapprehension OF the
chairs ruling, be began reading, sta
ting that he would prove the falslty oil
nearly every statement. He was called
to order, and subsidized.
Mr.. George R. Howell made biiei
but rafting speech against the sppTo.
priation, on account of lack Of funds.
He was in favor OF all classes of in
ternal improvement, but opposed 1t
until the county was able to maintain
its credit.
Mr.. Barry disclAimsd any connec.
ton with published statements about
barbecues, etc, and knew not hardly
where MIR. Grason lived, for whom he
had high regard personally. He fol
lowed with the small embankment on
which Mr.. Jordsn's estimate was
made, and showed the absurdity of
such small affair. If the county pro-
posed to build a levee, do 1t right.
Taxes had been levied for jails, bridges,
ETC., and here it wss Intended to put a
still further burden upon the people,
and for something that could be de.
ferred yet awhile. When the county
was able he would favor II as heartily
as any member Of the court.
Mr.. Hughey followed in a similar
strain, urging that the county's affairs
should be conducted on the same
principle as personal business. In
provements at present going on took
about all the county revenue at pres
ent available, and to make an appro-
priation beyond that would seem
ridiculous. Nine-tenths OF the tax
payers of Shelby county were opposed
to the appropriation, and the County
Court, or their represeI tatives, were
in duty bound to hesrken to their
verdict.
Mr.. Winters began his argument in
favor OF the appropriation by referring
to the numerous bridges erected in
Mr.. Hughey's district, and Q few
personal thrusts at Mr.. Barry. He
also paid attention to the statements
concerning the number OF families
residing In that portion of the county.
The season at which a leves was
needed was sometimes extended as
long as four months, according 10 the
statement of Mr.. McCallum, who lived
in the vicinity. He claimed that the
crown OF twelve feet, on the pro-
posed levee, would necessitate base
OF 100 feet. This statement he made
as a levee man. Mr.. Winters then
read list of the families residing out
there. The total number OF families
was 129, estimated at 367 people. The
tax book OF the Back Tax Collector for
the past three years showed a total
county tax proper of $76,203 70 out
side of the regular levy. "Where is
that money!" asked Mr.. Winters,
land Mr.. Weatherford assures me he
will collect more this year." Ohair-
man Slaughter" The Trustee, upon
my order, expended all that money
for taking up county warrants."] Mr..
Winters said that the money boged
by the record advanced by him was to
be expended for nothing but county
purposes. He then urged that Mr..
Weaterford's idea that double the usual
amount would be collected this year
would be sufficient to build the leve9
and yet leave the county finances in
good shape. No reflection on the
members OF the committee YVES in.
tended, but it was strange the cost OF
the repairs on the Courthouse were not
submitted to the court. They had not
done their duty. The gentleman then
went on in a humorous vein for sew
eral minutes, taking up in detail every
matter bearing on the question at is.
sue, as we'll as some that would require
a powerful microscope to determine
where they belonged. Witty thrusts
at Justice Powell caused that gentle
man to respond sarcasticslly, and the
court was convused with laughter.
The Chairman called Mr.. Winters to
order and demanded that he Gel fine
himself to the question at issue.
Mr. Powell then stated that Mr.. Win
tere's argument was rambling and IN
necessary, as every member OF the
court knew as much about it as he
did.
Mr.. Barry exposed the true inward.
ness OF all petitions, after which Mr..
Egnew took the floor in favor OF the
propositions. His arguments were
the same as other speakers on the same
side, with particular reference to lands
in the vicinity.
Mr.. Pryor then produced a petition
from citizens OF the sixth District ask
ing for the levee. He then dwelt
briefly on the financial condition of
the county and what effect liberslity
in this direction would have on the
commerce of Memphis. He said, in
answer TO the argument advanced from
the other eide, that If there was a sur
plus in revenue that honest debts
should first be paid; it was necessary
and sometimes prudent for honest
men to strain their credit. Enhanced
value Of land benefited would add rev.
snue to the county, and this the levee
would effect.
Mr.. Winters then moved the pre-
vious question, which wss that the
work Of building the levee be proceed
ed with, and the vote resulted as fol.
lows:
Yeas-Thomas, York, Buttsnburg,
Quinn, Winters, Pope, Pryor, Cole